Outlaw Roots, Modern Golf
The Bootlegger’s name and story tap directly into Michigan’s bootlegging heritage—legend has it the Purple Gang used the property for Prohibition-era hideouts, adding a dash of underworld intrigue to every round.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Forest Dunes - the Bootlegger Course
Roscommon, Michigan
Established
2021
Architect
Keith Rhebb & Riley Johns
Access
Resort
Par
Par 30
Length
650 – 1,100 yds
Green Fees
$
More at Forest Dunes
The verdict
Short-Course Golf, Maximum Fun
Bootlegger delivers a fresh, social twist on championship-golf resort life with 10 fast, creative par-3s set for max fun. It’s the ideal warm-up, wind-down, or side game at Forest Dunes—the kind of round you’ll want to loop again with your crew.
Course DNA
Difficulty
42
Scenery76
Conditioning78
Shot Variety82
Walkability96
Green Complexity79
Wow Factor71
Design Quality80
At a glance
Quick facts
Number of Holes
10
Course Setting
Pine forest on historic ranchland
Resort Affiliation
Part of Forest Dunes destination
Longest Hole
150 yards
Shortest Hole
65 yards
Architects
Keith Rhebb & Riley Johns
Design Emphasis
Shotmaking, fun, replay value
Backstory
Named for Michigan’s notorious Purple Gang
The design
The architecture
Bootlegger bursts with modern short-course creativity—a compact, 10-hole design that’s all about imaginative iron shots, sculpted greens, and fast, fun momentum. Rhebb & Johns pack variety into every tee: raised targets, deep contours, and angles that demand your full short-game arsenal. The layout rewards quick play and even quicker thinking, with hazards and green designs forcing you to mix high, low, spun and bump-and-run. Built to complement Forest Dunes’ big brothers, the Bootlegger distills the ‘fun-first’ spirit in an approachable, social golf experience.
Rhebb & Johns harnessed the wild, forested land to build an imaginative par-3 circuit—the result: a shotmaker’s playground for every skill level.
Defining features
- Distinctive shaped and rolling greens
- Bold bunkering dictating approach lines
- Alternating hole lengths from 65 to 150 yards
- Compact, efficient routing for enjoyable walking
- Forest-framed setting on sandy, playable turf
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 3
Hole 3
PAR
3
YARDAGE
75 yds
A tiny, well-bunkered hole that delivers maximum thrills with a sand-surrounded green and sloping apron. Any miss brings an instant short-game test—with a high chance of the infamous double.
Play it smart
Focus intently on distance control—hitting the middle of the green is paramount, even with a wedge in hand.
Where it bites
Miss short or left and you’re in a deep bunker, staring at a tough up-and-down.
Course management
Shots to think about
Short-sided in a bunker with the pin cut close
Open the blade, commit to the sand; a confident splash is safer than a delicate flop.
Downhill chip with greens running fast
Land it just onto the green and let the slope do the work—do not get cute with spin.
Wind gusts through the pines
Flight the ball low; better to chase it up than fight swirling breezes overhead.
Facing a back pin on a tiered green
Play for the fat part, even if it means a longer uphill putt; minimize big misses long.
Closing out a match on #10
Take dead aim and play aggressive—no laying up on the final Bootlegger hole.
Deciding between wedge or short iron from 110 yards
Pick the club that gives you the most confidence in trajectory, not just raw distance.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Firm, well-maintained greens and tees, consistent with Forest Dunes’ high standards.
Pace
Quick—most groups finish 10 holes in about an hour; expect a fast, social loop.
Vibe
Relaxed, replay-oriented, and friendly—ideal for matches or group outings.
Dress code
Standard resort golf attire recommended; golf shoes and collared shirt suggested.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Warm Up Your Short Game
Bring your best wedge and putter skills—most holes demand precision, not power.
02
Pack for Versatility
You’ll use nearly every wedge and short iron in the bag; a rangefinder helps by shaving guesswork.
03
Plan a Social Match
Bootlegger shines in a chaos-format points game, team scramble, or skins—organize ahead to make it lively.
The lore
How it came to be
- 2021
Bootlegger opens as Forest Dunes’ new short course
- 2021
Course architects Keith Rhebb and Riley Johns debut creative 10-hole layout
- 2022
Bootlegger debuts on Golfweek’s Top Short Courses (#30)
- 2024
Recognized as a key part of Forest Dunes’ destination golf reputation
Stories & legends
What makes it special
A Playground For Pure Shotmakers
Ditch the driver: Bootlegger’s all-par-3 routing demands creative short-iron play, funky bump-and-runs, and fearless chips, making every hole a new short-game puzzle you’ll want to solve twice.
A Fast, Social Golf Hit
With its 10 quickfire holes and easy walk, Bootlegger became an instant hit for warm-ups, group showdowns, or a replay-before-dusk blast—no forced carries, just good vibes and the shortest route to post-round hangs.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Named after Prohibition-era Purple Gang outlaws, who allegedly used the land.
2
Features 10 holes—one for each toe you’ll still have after the round’s pace.
3
Built purely for fun: designed to be replayed, looped, and enjoyed at any skill level.
4
You could play Bootlegger twice in the time it takes to finish 18 elsewhere.
Build the trip
If you’re on a Forest Dunes & Gaylord golf adventure
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Forest Dunes (Main Course)
Resort
Renowned Tom Weiskopf championship track; multiple state and national rankings.
The Loop at Forest Dunes
Resort
Unique Tom Doak reversible 18-hole course; a modern ‘must-play’.
Treetops Resort – Masterpiece
Resort
Fazio’s rolling drama, classic northern Michigan views.
Elmbrook Golf Course
Public
Well-kept, relaxed 18-hole course—tee times usually easy to get.
Directly at Forest Dunes for best access; Gaylord for add-on adventures.
Course DNA
If You Like Forest Dunes
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Very Similar DNA6.6
Squirrel Run Golf Club
Plymouth, MassachusettsWalkability
Why it matches: If Forest Dunes - the Bootlegger Course is your kind of course, Squirrel Run Golf Club is worth a look because it moves through the round with the same walkable flow.
Similar DNA7.8
The Loop at Augusta Municipal Golf Course
Augusta, GeorgiaWalkability
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. The Loop at Augusta Municipal Golf Course has a similarly satisfying rhythm on foot, making it a compelling counterpart to Forest Dunes - the Bootlegger Course.
Similar DNA7.4
Riomar Country Club
Vero Beach, FloridaWalkability
Why it matches: What links these two? Moves through the round with the same walkable flow — a familiar feeling, expressed in Riomar Country Club's own setting.
Community Sentiment
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